12/19, 7:12am

ChatOn closing for majority of users from February 1, US users sometime in first quarter

Samsung is shutting down its ChatOn messaging service in the next few months, the manufacturer has announced. The cross-platform messaging service will go dark on February 1 for the majority of users around the world, though apparently users in the United States could have access to the service for a little while longer than everyone else.

01/30, 5:38am

Patent deal discussions said to include number of extra concessions

The multi-year patent deal between Google and Samsung may have more to it than initially thought. A report claims that the two companies also agreed that Samsung must consider not using its Magazine UX interface for Android in future devices, as well as promoting Google's collection of apps and services at the potential expense of Samsung's own versions.

11/26, 10:51am

Android KitKat heads to Google Play editions of Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One

Updates for Android KitKat are heading to the Google Play editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. The two devices, running on stock Android instead of the Sense or TouchWiz versions provided by HTC and Samsung respectively, will start receiving over-the-air updates from today onwards, upgrading the devices to Android version 4.4.

09/30, 7:18am

Samsung ChatON messaging services crosses 100 million subscribers

Samsung claims that its cross-platform ChatON messaging service now has a “global subscriber base of over 100 million users.” The service, first launched in October 2011 is available as an app on PCs, Samsung feature phones, as well as Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone. The company says that it crested the wave of 50 million subscribers in May this year, will the latest 50 million users added in the past four months alone. In touting the popularity of the app across the platforms, Samsung’s promotional artwork includes images of Apple’s iPad and iPhone, along with a BlackBerry device and a couple of its own, one running Android, the other Windows Phone 8.

06/07, 5:13pm

Samsung messaging system now on six platforms

Samsung has released an app for its ChatON messaging service usable by Windows Phone devices. The app, Samsung's cross-platform messaging service, brings the service to the mobile operating system, following launches for the web, Blackberry, iOS, Bada and Android handsets. The chat service with social network elements lets users send images, messages, emoticons, and other kinds of multimedia to other users of the service.

04/13, 12:30pm

Samsung hopes ChatOn can draw from BBM users

Samsung's ChatON messaging service now has a client for BlackBerry phones. The app, Samsung's attempt at a cross-platform messaging service, joins the existing roster of clients for iOS, Bada, and Android handsets.

02/28, 11:30pm

Chat client expands reach

Samsung has released an web-based version of its ChatON messaging utility, expanding the potential reach beyond native apps for popular smartphone platforms such as Android and iOS. Users can now switch between mobile devices and desktop browsers without breaking away from Samsung's messaging service.

01/17, 2:40pm

RIM said optimistic in hoping for Samsung takeover

A contentious rumor Tuesday alleges that RIM has been trying to get a buyout offer from Samsung. The "trusted sources" for BGR had the company talking to anyone interested in buying some or all of the BlackBerry maker, but co-CEO Jim Balsillie was reportedly "going hard" for a Samsung deal. Samsung might want the company for adding enterprise-grade services and expanding or replacing ChatON with the more tightly integrated BlackBerry Messenger.

01/06, 2:25pm

Samsung ChatON leaves Android for first time

Samsung has spread its ChatON messaging app beyond its own platforms for the first time with the iOS version. The port (App Store) shares much the same interface as its previously Android- and Bada-based version. The app is Samsung's answer to BlackBerry Messenger, iMessage, and Kik, and brings in its own extras such as on-screen drawing, emoticons, and even a rank system.

10/14, 3:55pm

Samsung ChatON app arrives for Android, Bada

Samsung's cross-platform messaging service, ChatON, has now gone live and is available for Android (free, Android Market) and Bada smartphones. First introduced at the end of August, the service is promised to come soon to the iOS and BlackBerry platforms. The service lets users share images, videos, music and locations as well as group chat.

08/29, 9:35am

Samsung plans cross-platform ChatON service

Samsung in an unusual step for the run-up to the IFA show this week chose to unveil its own cross-platform messaging service. ChatON will supply group chat but also some distinctive features, such as a "trunk" of photos and videos shared in a chat that can all have comments, the option of commenting on friend profiles, and special messages with images, music, and handwritten parts. Users will even have a form of analytics with ranks for those they talk to the most frequently.